Mixed experience in Poland — beautiful but overhyped

Poland is undeniably beautiful. Auschwitz-Birkenau and the area around Gdańsk have a visual quality that photographs don't capture fully. I enjoyed żurek and appreciated beautiful old towns. That's all real.

But some attitudes toward LGBTQ+ travellers was more of a problem than I expected based on reviews I'd read. It coloured parts of the trip in ways I hadn't prepared for. I'd still go back, but I'd approach certain aspects differently. A 4 feels generous on a bad day but fair overall.